Wheelchair Basketball Canada – (February 28, 2017 – TORONTO, ONT.) With 100 days to go until opening tip-off of the 2017 Men’s U23 World Wheelchair Basketball Championship in Toronto, the organizing committee is pleased to launch the application process to recruit a dynamic and enthusiastic team of volunteers in order to support the successful delivery of this world-class sporting event from June 8-16, 2017 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.

The event will feature eight days of intense and hard-hitting competition as elite athletes representing 12 nations, including host Canada, showcase the elite skill and athleticism that make wheelchair basketball a thrilling spectator sport and one of the most popular sports for athletes with a disability in the world.

The event will require up to 150 volunteers and the organizing committee is calling on the local community to get involved. There are opportunities to volunteer in several key areas, including tournament operations, sport technical, marketing and communications, protocol and ceremonies, and legacy initiatives.

The experience will provide volunteers with an opportunity for personal growth and professional development, networking, and social interaction with key stakeholders within the international sport community.

All volunteers will receive an event t-shirt, healthy refreshments during their shifts and the opportunity to engage with international athletes, coaches, officials and sport leaders. Volunteers will also receive a complimentary pass to attend all round robin games during the tournament.

“We are thrilled to begin assembling an incredible and dedicated team of volunteers to support the world championship,” said Tournament Director Wendy Gittens. “Volunteers are our greatest champions, as they play a vital role in the success of every aspect of the event. We welcome all those with the enthusiasm and willingness to learn to apply as a volunteer, even if they aren’t familiar with wheelchair basketball, and we look forward to engaging the local community to help us deliver an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.”

Interested individuals can apply online to volunteer for the event through the official tournament website at www.2017u23wwbc.com.
     
For more information, please contact volunteers@wheelchairbasketball.ca.

For more information, please visit www.2017u23wwbc.com / #2017u23wwbc.

About the Event

Wheelchair Basketball Canada is pleased to host the top junior male wheelchair basketball players on the planet from June 8-16, 2017 for the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Men’s U23 World Wheelchair Basketball Championship.

World-class athletes representing 12 nations, including host Canada, will converge at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in downtown Toronto to showcase the elite skill and athleticism that make wheelchair basketball a thrilling spectator sport and one of the most popular sports for athletes with a disability in the world. Over 400 athletes, coaches, officials, delegates, and volunteers will attend the event.

About the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF)

The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) is the international governing body responsible for wheelchair basketball. It is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide opportunities for persons with a disability to play the game of wheelchair basketball. For more information, please visit www.iwbf.org.

About Wheelchair Basketball Canada

Wheelchair Basketball Canada is the national sport governing body responsible for the organization of the sport in Canada. It is a non-profit, charitable organization that is committed to excellence in the development, support and promotion of wheelchair basketball programs and services for all Canadians from grassroots to high performance. Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, competitive sport in which Canada is held in high esteem around the world for winning a combined six gold, one silver, and one bronze medal in the last seven Paralympic Games. For more information, please visit www.wheelchairbasketball.ca.